Bryan Fields, a Costco employee in Baltimore and member of Teamsters Local 570, told ABC News that the strike deadline comes after months of stalled conversations, extensions and failed negotiations with the company.

More than 18,000 Costco workers will be walking picket lines in less than two weeks if a labor dispute over wages and benefits is not resolved, according to the Teamsters union. Members voted by an 85% margin to authorize a strike when their current contract expires on Jan. 31, the union announced on Sunday.

Teamsters working for wholesale giant Costco voted to authorize a strike ahead of a Jan. 31 contract expiration, the labor group said in a statement. The contract covers more than 18,000 Costco

Costco’s average hourly rate was approximately $31 an hour at the close of the fiscal year ended Sept. 1, according to the company’s latest annual 10-k filing with the Securit

Teamsters said its members voted in favor of a strike as they entered a final round of talks to reach a new contract ahead of a Jan. 31 deadline.

Union members voted by a margin of 85% to authorize a strike in response to what it said was the company’s refusal to present a fair contract offer.

About 18,000 Costco workers will go on strike beginning Feb. 1 if their union doesn’t reach a deal with the warehouse retailer, the union announced Sunday. The Teamsters represent Costco workers in 56 warehouses across five states,